Chapter 9: Even Black-Red Is Still Red

Facing Aunt Fu’s inquiry, Shen Mu opened his mouth, then closed it again. He had never been to the countryside and didn’t know what to order. What if the dish he requested wasn’t available? That would only embarrass his hosts. Besides, he was never one to trouble others unnecessarily.

Just as he was about to politely decline, Xu Zhaozhao tugged on Aunt Fu’s arm and coquettishly said, “Aunt Fu, he’s a grown man; he can just eat whatever we eat. Don’t worry about him. Just make the dishes I ordered—I’ve been starving for a long time.”

Her words were true. Having been pulled out of bed by Zhao Xin and rushed all the way to Gushu Village, she hadn’t eaten a thing. Although there were plenty of fruits and snacks on the table at the meeting point, she never had the chance to eat.

Aunt Fu nodded hastily. “Alright, you all sit and rest. I’ll start cooking right away.”

Seeing Aunt Fu turn toward the kitchen, Xu Zhaozhao glanced at Shen Mu. “Handsome, why are you standing there like a statue?”

“Do… what?” Shen Mu didn’t understand what she meant.

Xu Zhaozhao rolled her eyes and pointed at the meticulously cleaned pigpen and chicken coop. “While you were showering, I finished all the remaining chores.”

“Oh,” Shen Mu’s face remained as cold as ever, “and so?”

“So?” Xu Zhaozhao chuckled, “Aunt Fu is cooking, and it’s no good for us to just wait around. Aren’t you going to hurry up and help in the kitchen?”

“You want me to go into the kitchen?”

“Why not?” Xu Zhaozhao said, “You’ve been inside the stinky chicken coop, so why can’t you enter the smoky kitchen?”

“You…” Shen Mu huffed angrily for a long time before squeezing out a word, “You’re unbelievable!”

Xu Zhaozhao was deliberately teasing him, fully aware of his cleanliness obsession. Yet in front of the camera and the large audience behind it, he was determined not to reveal this weakness. He wasn’t sure if there were business rivals among the viewers who might exploit his personal quirks. He disliked having his private matters turned into gossip.

So he said nothing more and genuinely turned to help Aunt Fu in the kitchen.

Aunt Fu, seeing him help, initially wanted to politely refuse, insisting he needn’t assist. But Shen Mu remained, resolutely staying to lend a hand.

Though his movements with the ingredients were somewhat awkward and often caused more trouble than help, Aunt Fu never got angry. Even when she had to correct his actions repeatedly, she did so cheerfully.

[Aunt Fu is so kind and gentle. I really like elderly people like her; she reminds me of my grandmother.]

[It’s clear Shen Mu lacks kitchen experience.]

[If I were Aunt Fu, I wouldn’t get mad either. With a face that could rival a star’s, who could stay upset?]

[That’s true. Facing such a face, it’s hard to get angry.]

[By the way, have you seen Xu Zhaozhao?]

[Why watch a scheming woman? Just now I missed the handsome guy’s shower scene, and now I can’t even watch him cook?]

[But Xu Zhaozhao is really too much. She made Shen Mu help Aunt Fu in the kitchen, so I thought she’d finally be responsible. But no, she hides away to take a big nap!]

In the lower right corner of the screen, the camera occasionally caught sight of Aunt Fu’s lounge chair in the yard. At this moment, Xu Zhaozhao was stretched out comfortably on it.

When the camera moved into the kitchen, she immediately lay down on Aunt Fu’s lounge chair and closed her tired eyes.

She hadn’t slept well last night, and with an empty stomach, she was already feeling dizzy.

Due to childhood experiences, she suffered from hypoglycemia whenever hungry.

She usually carried some candies in her pocket to eat when tired or hungry. But after changing clothes upon arrival, she hadn’t brought any along.

The rest were in her suitcase, which was no help at the moment.

Feeling dizzy, she could only lie flat and rest, waiting to eat and recover.

Viewers were already displeased with her behavior, and the comments flooded with complaints.

But Xu Zhaozhao didn’t care. As they say, any publicity is good publicity.

She had long grown accustomed to the negative effects of being cast as a selfish, venomous antagonist.

Other actors played their roles only on screen, but for her, the character was the same on and off camera.

Living a life of constant performance made things exhausting; she paid little heed to others’ opinions anymore.

Almost as soon as she lay down, she fell asleep.

She woke only when a fragrant aroma roused her.

Opening her eyes, she saw the clouds gilded with gold at the horizon—truly beautiful.

Seeing Shen Mu’s tall figure, for a moment she imagined they were on a beach by a small island, sharing a romantic candlelit dinner.

That was the time she felt most at peace.

But when Aunt Fu appeared carrying a tray, her illusion shattered.

Snapping back to reality, she hurried to help Aunt Fu carry the tray.

“Aunt Fu, let me help you.”

[Xu Zhaozhao, now that the food’s ready, you’re trying to cozy up? Have you no shame?]

[The food’s done, and now she wants to feel involved. If you can, just sit there and wait to eat without lifting a finger.]

[Poor Shen Mu, teamed up with that scheming woman, he’s been busy non-stop.]

[Aunt Fu’s tomato scrambled eggs look really appetizing. I have to go eat too.]

[Though it’s still early, dinner has started, and it’s in sync with the romance show.]

Aunt Fu prepared six dishes.

At first glance, Xu Zhaozhao had ordered quite a lot, but all six dishes were simple home-style fare.

Tomato scrambled eggs, cold shredded potatoes, stir-fried spinach, dry-fried green beans, and stir-fried bok choy—all vegetarian and made from vegetables Aunt Fu grew herself.

The only meat dish was stir-fried celery with shredded pork.

[What? The table’s all green? Is that it?]

[And Xu Zhaozhao still didn’t let Shen Mu order? What did she pick? Such plain vegetables—I have no appetite at all.]

[I think Xu Zhaozhao’s choices are perfect. The countryside has plenty of seasonal vegetables. Aunt Fu let her order out of courtesy, and Xu Zhaozhao neither offended Aunt Fu nor chose complicated dishes. Isn’t that a win-win?]

[Does Xu Zhaozhao even have that kind of brain? Can she be so considerate? Somebody’s giving her too much credit.]

[Whatever, I see Xu Zhaozhao eating so heartily, and now I’m really craving Aunt Fu’s cooking.]

With the dishes laid out, the three sat down. Xu Zhaozhao immediately dug in with gusto.

Seeing her eat so eagerly, Aunt Fu’s smile never faded.

When people eat well, it means their cooking is appreciated—that’s a good thing.

Compared to Xu Zhaozhao’s ravenous appetite, Shen Mu ate with elegant restraint, somehow making the Chinese stir-fry feel like a Western meal.

From start to finish, the two presented a striking contrast.

Xu Zhaozhao was lively; Shen Mu was composed.

Though they seemed at odds, they worked together toward their shared goal during tasks.

Compared to the other male and female guests on the livestream who displayed harmonious relationships, their interactions—full of undercurrents, twists, and witty clashes—captivated viewers even more.

Whenever something amusing or infuriating happened, fans would screenshot and share it.

From Shen Mu’s cold, aloof entrances to the grand reveal of him covered in chicken feathers, to Xu Zhaozhao’s sly remarks and playful antics—clips abounded.

The romance show "Love in the Mountains and Fields" even made it onto Weibo’s trending list at number fifty.

As night fell and many office workers finished their day, commuting or dining while scrolling on their phones, they clicked into the show via recommended links.

No one behind the scenes expected the buzz to come from a newcomer and an obscure actor rather than the veteran lead or the rising starlet.